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Bellevue Exploring TIF Opportunities & Addressing Recent Thefts

The City of Bellevue got a lesson in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts at the regular city council meeting on Wednesday.

James Parsons, from the law firm of Taft, Stettinius and Hollister LLP, explained how other states have used the financing but Kentucky was later in utilizing the tool for promoting development because the state did not pass legislation until 2000 when they adopted the TIF legislation, primarily to finance large projects in Louisville. Then in 2007 legislation called the Act was passed which provided a way to access state revenues for projects that were eligible.

Parsons pointed out that Campbell County had four projects that were part of TIF financing, including the incomplete Ovation in Newport and Manhattan Harbour in Dayton. He also said that the approval of the Gateway Project at the Drawbridge site in Ft. Mitchell is pending.

After listening to the presentation, members of council asked a few questions, then moved to go ahead and have the economic team sit down with Parsons to see what could be accomplished in Bellevue. Councilman Steve Giudugli asked if the Marianne theater would be too small of a project, or the area by Riviera and Donnermeyer. Parsons said it could be any size project. He told council he would be glad to talk with them so they can identify projects within the city.

In other business, council listened to the first reading of an ordinance putting a permanent stop sign at the intersection of Berry and Anspaugh. Records have indicated that cars go through the intersection at higher speeds than are warranted, and a temporary stop sign has been put in.

"Absolutely the stop sign will make a difference," said Police Chief Colonel Wayne Turner about the stop sign when asked by council. Giudugli was the only dissenting vote.

Council also passed a resolution declaring the old handguns from the police department surplus property. Since the police department bought new guns, the old guns were made available for purchase at a fair price by the officers who used them.

Thefts on Washington were discussed, and though the chief said his guys are out all the time, things are being stolen from back yards. The temporary stop signs put up by the city have also disappeared, and police happened on a theft of a stop sign in progress the other night. The chief promised to focus on the problem more intensively.

Nancy Cremeans, a resident of Covert Run, came to complain about the water that constantly flows across her driveway and into her garage. City Administrator Keith Spoelker said the problem has stumped the engineer and they are still working to find the origin of the water and attempt to fix the problem.

Another resident, Diane Cornish, wanted to introduce herself and say she is opening a bakery called Mama C's and would like people to give her a try.

Finally, two municipal orders were passed dealing with the landslides and slippage first of all on South Sherry and Bonnie Leslie. Mayor Ed Riehl was authorized to enter into an agreement with Thelen and Associates for geotechnical exploration on South Sherry and Bonnie Leslie for no more than $56,650, and for the same exploration on North Sherry for no more than $39,950. The money is part of a $2.3 million FEMA grant the city received.